Whitestone Bridge reopens after sign collapse

March 27, 2009 9:56:40 PM PDT

Eyewitness News

QUEENS --

A truck took down a sign on the Bronx Whitestone Bridge in Queens, closing the bridge in both directions. for hours.A boon truck driven by a MTA Bridges and Tunnels contractor struck an overhead gantry sign on the Queensbound (southbound) plaza of the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge near the Queens anchorage, officials said.

The impact took down the sign and the gantry, the metal system that supports signs, blocking all five lanes (three southbound and two north bound, or Bronx-bound lanes, and closing the bridge in both directions.

The truck, which has a crane attached to the back, was traveling near the Queens anchorage when it struck the sign.

Two contractors suffered minor injuries and were taken to New York City Hospital of Queens (formerly Booth Memorial).

All traffic was diverted to the Throgs Neck and Robert F. Kennedy bridges.

The bridge reopened just after 7:00 p.m.

Alpha has been an MTA Bridges and Tunnels contractor since 2008. They were hired to paint the Queens and Bronx towers at the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge.